Semiconductor device

ABSTRACT

A LOC type semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor chip having a main surface in which semiconductor elements and a plurality of bonding pads are formed, and a back surface opposite the main surface; a plurality of leads each having an inner part and an outer part, and including a plurality of first leads having inner end portions extended on the main surface of the semiconductor chip and a plurality of second leads having inner end portions terminating near the semiconductor chip; bonding wires electrically connecting the bonding pads to bonding portions of the inner parts of the first and the second leads; and a sealing member sealing the semiconductor chip therein. A first bending portion is formed in the inner part of each second lead to prevent the sealing member from transformation by forming the sealing member in satisfactory resin balance between an upper portion and a lower portion of the sealing member.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to techniques for manufacturing a semiconductor device and, more particularly, to techniques effective in application to the prevention of transformation (e.g. camber) of a sealing member of a LOC (lead-on-chip) which having a semiconductor chip provided with inner portion of leads arranged on a main surface thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The inventors of the present invention examined the following techniques during studies for making the present invention.

[0003] In a semiconductor device on which an LSI (large-scale integration) chip is mounted, a semiconductor device called LOC is known as a semiconductor device in which a package size is reduced.

[0004] In the LOC, end portions of inner parts of leads are arranged on a main surface, i.e., a surface provided with a circuit, of a semiconductor chip, and bonding portions of the end portions of the inner parts are electrically connected to the corresponding bonding pads of the semiconductor chip by means of wire for bonding.

[0005] The semiconductor chip is bonded to end portions of the inner parts of the leads with an insulating tape or the like and is supported by end portions of the inner parts of the leads.

[0006] The semiconductor chip, the inner parts of the leads and the bonding wires are sealed in a sealing resin to form a sealing member (i.e. package).

[0007] In recent years, efforts have been made for chip shrinking for cost reduction and a LOC having a region of a relatively large area around the semiconductor chip is occurred. In the LOC, because the size of the semiconductor chip is small, only leads (first leads) are arranged on the main surface of the semiconductor chip, and leads (second leads) have inner parts terminating near the semiconductor chip.

[0008] In the LOC having the second leads not arranged on the main surface of the semiconductor chip, the inner parts of the second leads affect adversely resin balance, i.e., a state of distribution of a resin in regions on the opposite sides of the inner parts, when sealing the semiconductor chip in a sealing member by molding and, sometimes, the sealing member transforms.

[0009] When the semiconductor chip is shrunk, a portion of the sealing member extending in regions around the semiconductor chip becomes large and regions in which resin balance is unsatisfactory increase.

[0010] A LOC intended to ensure the uniform flow of a resin when forming a sealing member to prevent the sealing member from transformation is mentioned in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-116074. This LOC is provided with a branch lead branched from a lead and provided with resin balancing parts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] In the LOC disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-116074, the resin balancing parts are formed only on the branch leads branching from the leads, and are formed only in middle portions of the area outside the chip along the long sides of the semiconductor chip.

[0012] Accordingly, portions of the sealing member corresponding to regions around the semiconductor chip, i.e., portions of the sealing member corresponding to regions along and outside the long sides and the short sides of the semiconductor chip, increases with the progress of chip shrinking. Consequently, the transformation of the sealing member cannot be prevented when the resin balancing parts are disposed only in the regions outside of the long sides of the semiconductor chip.

[0013] Long bonding wires are necessary to connect the leads not disposed on the main surface of the semiconductor chip to the corresponding bonding pads by wire bonding. Such long wires are subject to wire flow during molding, and the flowed bonding wires deteriorates the performance and reliability of the semiconductor device.

[0014] The leads (second leads) not overlying the main surface of the semiconductor chip extend on a level (a level left from the semiconductor chip) higher than that on which the leads (first leads) arranged on the main surface of the chip extend, therefore, portions of the sealing member overlying the second leads are thin and it is possible that the bonding wires are exposed from the sealing member, and the second leads and the bonding wires can be seen through the sealing member.

[0015] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a semiconductor device, in a LOC semiconductor device having leads not overlying the semiconductor chip, to prevent transformation of a sealing member, and having improved ability and reliability, and to provide a process for manufacturing such a semiconductor device.

[0016] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a semiconductor device comprises: a semiconductor chip having a main surface in which semiconductor elements and a plurality of bonding pads are formed, and a back surface opposite the main surface; a plurality of leads each having an inner part and an outer part, and including a plurality of first leads having inner portions placed on the main surface of the semiconductor chip and a plurality of second leads having inner end portions terminating near the semiconductor chip; bonding wires electrically connecting the bonding pads to the inner parts of the first and the second leads; and a sealing member sealing the semiconductor chip, the inner parts of the leads and the bonding wires therein; wherein each of the inner parts of the second leads sealed in the sealing member has a bending portions of the inner part and falling substantially in a direction from the main surface toward the back surface of the semiconductor chip.

[0017] When forming the sealing member of the semiconductor device by molding, resin balance between portions of the sealing member on the upper and the lower side of the second leads is satisfactory, so that the transformation of the sealing member of the LOC having the shrunk semiconductor chip can be prevented.

[0018] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a semiconductor device comprises: a semiconductor chip having a main surface in which semiconductor elements and a plurality of bonding pads are formed; a plurality of leads each having an inner part and an outer part, and including a plurality of first leads having inner portions placed on the main surface of the semiconductor chip and a plurality of second leads having inner end portions terminating near the semiconductor chip; bonding wires electrically connecting the bonding pads to the inner parts of the first and the second leads; and a sealing member sealing the semiconductor chip, the inner parts of the leads and the bonding wires therein; wherein each of the inner parts of the second leads sealed in the sealing member has a high portion extending on a level above the main surface of the semiconductor chip and a low portion extending on a level below the main surface of the semiconductor chip, and the total area of the low portions of the inner parts of the second leads is greater than that of the high portions of the same.

[0019] According to a third aspect of the present invention, a semiconductor device comprises: a semiconductor chip having a main surface in which semiconductor elements and a plurality of bonding pads are formed, and a back surface opposite the main surface; a plurality of leads each having an inner part and an outer part, and including a plurality of first leads having inner end portions placed on the main surface of the semiconductor chip and a plurality of second leads having connecting parts terminating near the semiconductor chip; bonding wires electrically connecting the bonding pads to the inner parts of the first and the second leads; and a sealing member sealing the semiconductor chip, the inner parts of the leads and the bonding wires therein; wherein some of the first leads and the second leads have first bending portions of the inner parts and falling substantially in a direction from the main surface toward the back surface of the semiconductor chip, and each of the same first leads respectively having the first bending portions has a second bending portion rising substantially in a direction from the back surface toward the main surface of the semiconductor chip and formed at a position nearer to the semiconductor chip than the first bending portion.

[0020] A semiconductor device manufacturing process according to the present invention comprises the steps of: preparing a lead frame having a frame member, and a plurality of leads including a plurality of first leads respectively having inner parts arranged so as to overlie a main surface of a semiconductor chip, and a plurality of second leads respectively having inner parts terminating near the semiconductor chip and having bending portions thereof and bending substantially in a direction from the main surface toward a back surface of the semiconductor chip; bonding the inner parts of the first leads to the main surface of the semiconductor chip; electrically connecting bonding pads of the semiconductor chip to the corresponding inner parts of the leads by bonding wires; forming a sealing member to seal the semiconductor chip, the inner parts of the leads and the bonding wires therein by substantially evenly distributing a resin in regions of a cavity of a mold on the upper and the lower side of the bending portions of the leads; and cutting off outer parts of the leads projecting from the sealing member from the frame member of the lead frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0022]FIG. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a semiconductor device in a first embodiment according to the present invention, in which a sealing member is removed;

[0023]FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view taken on line A-A in FIG. 1;

[0024]FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary plan view of a lead frame and a semiconductor chip in a state after the completion of a die bonding process in a process for manufacturing the semiconductor device in the first embodiment;

[0025]FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view taken on line A-A in FIG. 3;

[0026]FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary plan view of the semiconductor device in the first embodiment in a state after the completion of a wire bonding process in the process for manufacturing the semiconductor device in the first embodiment;

[0027]FIG. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view taken on line A-A in FIG. 5;

[0028]FIG. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary plan view of the semiconductor device in a state after the completion of a resin molding process in the process for manufacturing the semiconductor device in the first embodiment, in which the sealing member is removed;

[0029]FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line A-A in FIG. 7;

[0030]FIG. 9 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view of a semiconductor device in a second embodiment according to the present invention;

[0031] FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b) are a plan view each of the region of the sealing member and a sectional view, respectively, of the semiconductor device in a second embodiment according to the present invention;

[0032]FIG. 11 is an enlarged plan view of a lead frame employed by a process for manufacturing the semiconductor device in the second embodiment;

[0033]FIG. 12 is an enlarged plan view of the lead frame and a semiconductor chip mounted on the lead frame in a state after the completion of a die bonding process included in the process for manufacturing the semiconductor device in the second embodiment;

[0034]FIG. 13 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view taken on line A-A in FIG. 12;

[0035]FIG. 14 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view taken on line A-B in FIG. 12;

[0036]FIG. 15 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view taken on line C-C in FIG. 12;

[0037]FIG. 16 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view taken on line D-D in FIG. 12;

[0038]FIG. 17 is an enlarged, fragmentary plan view of a lead frame and a semiconductor chip mounted on the lead frame in a state after the completion of a wire bonding process in the process for manufacturing the semiconductor device in the second embodiment;

[0039]FIG. 18 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view taken on line E-E in FIG. 12 of assistance in explaining a sealing resin injecting method by which a sealing resin is injected into a mold by the process for manufacturing the semiconductor device in the second embodiment;

[0040]FIG. 19 is a flow chart of an assembling procedure for assembling the semiconductor device in the second embodiment;

[0041]FIG. 20 is a front elevation of semiconductor device in the second embodiment as mounted on a mounting board;

[0042]FIG. 21(a) is an enlarged, fragmentary plan view of a semiconductor device in a third embodiment according to the present invention, in which a sealing member is removed;

[0043]FIG. 21(b) is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view taken on line F-F in FIG. 21(b);

[0044]FIG. 21(c) is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view of a modification of the semiconductor device shown in FIG. 21(b);

[0045]FIG. 22(a) is an enlarged, fragmentary plan view of a semiconductor device in a fourth embodiment according to the present invention, in which a sealing member is removed; and

[0046]FIG. 22(b) is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view taken on line G-G in FIG. 22(a).

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0047] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which parts having the same functions are designated by the same reference characters and the repetitive description thereof will be omitted to avoid duplication.

[0048] First Embodiment

[0049]FIG. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a semiconductor device in a first embodiment according to the present invention, in which a sealing member is removed, FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view taken on line A-A in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary plan view of a lead frame and a semiconductor chip in a state after the completion of a die bonding process in a process for manufacturing the semiconductor device in the first embodiment, FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view taken on line A-A in FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary plan view in a state after the completion of a wire bonding process in the process for manufacturing the semiconductor device in the first embodiment, FIG. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view taken on line A-A in FIG. 5, FIG. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary plan view in a state after the completion of a packaging process in the process for manufacturing the semiconductor device in the first embodiment, in which the sealing member is removed, and FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line A-A in FIG. 7.

[0050] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a semiconductor device in a first embodiment according to the present invention is a semiconductor device of a LOC (Lead On Chip) structure and provided with a semiconductor chip 1 having a small size achieved by chip shrinking. In this embodiment, the semiconductor chip 1 is a DRAM (dynamic random-access memory) provided with semiconductor elements. The semiconductor chip 1 is provided on its main surface with fifty-four (a plurality of) bonding pads (external electrodes) 1 a. The semiconductor chip 1 may be a memory or a logic semiconductor chip provided with a logic circuit such as a SRAM (static random-access memory). The semiconductor chip 1 has a plurality of external electrodes such as a bonding pad 1 a. First leads 2 a of a lead frame 2 are bonded to the main surface of the semiconductor chip 1 with an adhesive. The number of the first leads 2 a is, for example, fifty. The twenty-five first leads 2 a are arranged along one of the longitudinal sides of the semiconductor chip 1 and the other twenty-five first leads 2 a are arranged along the other longitudinal side of the semiconductor chip 1. The bonding pads 1 a, i.e., external electrodes, of the semiconductor chip 1 are connected electrically to the first leads 2 a by bonding wires 3 of gold or aluminum.

[0051] Inner parts of second leads 2 b of the lead frame 2 arranged around the semiconductor chip 1 have bending portions 2 b 1, respectively, which are the feature of the semiconductor device in the first embodiment. The number of the second leads 2 b having the bending portions 2 b 1 is arranged, for example, four at the outside of the semiconductor chip 1. The bending portions 2 b 1 formed in the second leads 2 b are sealed in a sealing member 4 (i.e. package). The sealing member 4 is formed of a sealing resin 8 (FIG. 18), i.e., an insulating material.

[0052] The bonding pads 1 a as external electrodes of the semiconductor chip 1 are connected electrically to the second leads 2 b by bonding wires 3 of gold or aluminum. In the second lead 2 b of a first embodiment, an area that each bonding wire 3 electrically connecting the bonding pad 1 a to the second lead 2 b is arranged at a lower level than the surface of the bending portion 2 b 1 where the upper surface of the second lead 2 b, because the bending portion 2 b 1 is formed.

[0053] The first leads 2 a are fixed to the main surface of the semiconductor chip sealed in the sealing member 4. The inner parts of some of the second leads 2 b arranged around the semiconductor chip 1 are provided with the bending portions 2 bl, respectively, and each bonding wire 3 electrically connecting the bonding pad 1 a to the second lead 2 b is connected to an inner portion of an inner part of each second lead 2 b extending from the lower end of the bending portion 2 b 1 on a level lower than that on which an outer portion of the same extends from the upper end of the bending portion 2 b 1. Consequently, the thickness of portions of the sealing member 4 overlying the parts of the second leads 2 b connected to the bonding wires 3 can be increased. Therefore, portions of the sealing member 4 overlying the parts of the second leads 2 b connected to the bonding wires 3 can be formed in a thickness approximately equal to that of portions of the sealing member 4 underlying the parts of the second leads 2 b connected to the bonding wires 3. Thus, the transformation of the sealing member 4 can be reduced and the performance and reliability of the semiconductor device are enhanced.

[0054] Since the thickness of portions of the sealing member 4 overlying the parts of the second leads 2 b connected to the bonding wires 3 can be increased, the second leads 2 b cannot be seen through the sealing member 4 even if the second leads 2 b are deformed.

[0055] Since the inner parts of the plurality of second leads 2 b arranged around the semiconductor chip 1 are provided with the bending portions 2 b 1, respectively, and the inner portions of the inner parts of the second leads 2 b connected to the bonding wires 3 extend on a level lower than that on which the outer portions of the inner parts of the second leads 2 b extend from the upper ends of the bending portions 2 b 1 extend, respectively, the inner portions of the inner parts of the second leads 2 b connected to the bonding wires 3 can be disposed close to the corresponding bonding pads 1 a of the semiconductor chip. Consequently, the deformation of the bonding wires 3 due to wire flow during molding can be suppressed and the performance and reliability of the semiconductor device are enhanced.

[0056] A process for manufacturing the semiconductor device in the first embodiment will be described hereinafter.

[0057] The first leads 2 a of the lead frame 2 are positioned over the main surface of the semiconductor chip 1, and bonded with an adhesive to the main surface of the semiconductor chip 1 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The lead frame 2 of the first embodiment has the bending portions 2 b 1 formed in the inner parts sealed in the sealing member 4 of the second leads 2 b except for the first leads 2 a which are fixed on the main surface of the semiconductor chip 1. The lead frame 2 is featured also by the second leads 2 b having the inner parts arranged around the semiconductor chip 1, and provided with the bending portions 2 b 1 and the inner portions of the inner parts thereof connected to the bonding wires 3 and extending on a level lower than that on which the outer portions of the inner parts of the second leads 2 b extend from the upper ends of the bending portions 2 b 1 extend, respectively.

[0058] Subsequently, the bonding pads (external electrodes) la of the semiconductor chip 1 are connected electrically to the first leads 2 a and the second leads 2 b by the gold or aluminum bonding wires 3, respectively, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 by a wire bonding machine.

[0059] The semiconductor chip 1, the inner parts of the first leads 1 a, the inner parts of the second leads 2 b and the bonding wires 3 are sealed in the sealing member 4 formed by molding a sealing resin 8 (FIG. 18) by a molding machine as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. A sealing member 4 can be formed of an insulating material other than the resin may be used instead of the sealing member 4 made of a molding resin.

[0060] The outer parts of the first leads 2 a and the second leads 2 b projecting outside from the sealing member 4 are bent by a lead shaping machine. Then, tie bars and frame bars of the lead frame 2 are cut off to complete the semiconductor device as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0061] The process for manufacturing the semiconductor device of the first embodiment is featured by the lead frame 2 having the second leads 2 b having the inner portions connected to the bonding wires 3 and extending from the lower ends of the bending portions 2 b 1 on the level lower than that on which the outer portions extend.

[0062] In the wire bonding process of the process for manufacturing the semiconductor device, the second leads 2 b can electrically be connected to the corresponding bonding pads la of the semiconductor chip 1 by relatively short bonding wires 3 because the inner portions of the inner parts of the second leads 2 b connected to the bonding wires 3 can be disposed close to the corresponding bonding pads 1 a of the semiconductor chip 1. Consequently, the deformation of the bonding wires 3 due to wire flow during molding can be suppressed, the performance and reliability of the semiconductor device are enhanced, and the semiconductor device can be fabricated at a high yield rate.

[0063] In the process for forming the sealing member of the first embodiment, since the thickness of portions of the sealing member 4 overlying the parts of the second leads 2 b connected to the bonding wires 3 can be increased, portions of the sealing member 4 overlying the parts of the second leads 2 b connected to the bonding wires 3 can be formed in a thickness approximately equal to that of portions of the sealing member 4 underlying the parts of the second leads 2 b connected to the bonding wires 3. Thus, the portions of the sealing member 4 overlying the second leads 2 b and the portions of the same underlying the second leads 2 b can be formed in satisfactory resin balance, and the transformation (camber) of the sealing member 4 can be reduced. Consequently, the performance and reliability of the semiconductor device are enhanced and the semiconductor device can be fabricated at a high yield rate.

[0064] Since the thickness of portions of the sealing member 4 overlying the parts of the second leads 2 b connected to the bonding wires 3 can be increased, the same portions of the sealing member 4 are formed in a relatively great thickness and hence the second leads 2 b cannot be seen through the sealing member 4 even if the second leads 2 b are deformed.

[0065] Second Embodiment

[0066]FIG. 9 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view of a semiconductor device in a second embodiment according to the present invention, FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b) are a plan view and a sectional view, respectively, of the semiconductor device, FIG. 11 is an enlarged plan view of a lead frame employed by a process for manufacturing the semiconductor device in the second embodiment, FIG. 12 is an enlarged plan view of the lead frame and a semiconductor chip mounted on the lead frame in a state after the completion of a die bonding process included in the process for manufacturing the semiconductor device in the second embodiment, FIG. 13 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view taken on line A-A in FIG. 12, FIG. 14 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view taken on line A-B in FIG. 12, FIG. 15 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view taken on line C-C in FIG. 12, FIG. 16 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view taken on line D-D in FIG. 12, FIG. 17 is an enlarged, fragmentary plan view of a lead frame and a semiconductor chip mounted on the lead frame in a state after the completion of a wire bonding process in the process for manufacturing the semiconductor device in the second embodiment, FIG. 18 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view taken on line E-E in FIG. 12 of assistance in explaining a sealing resin injecting method by which a sealing resin is injected into a mold by the process for manufacturing the semiconductor device in the second embodiment, FIG. 19 is a flow chart of an assembling procedure for assembling the semiconductor device in the second embodiment, and FIG. 20 is a front elevation of semiconductor device in the second embodiment as mounted on a mounting board.

[0067] A semiconductor device in the second embodiment, similarly to the semiconductor device in the first embodiment, is of LOC construction provided with a semiconductor chip 1 formed in a small size achieved by chip shrinking. A lead frame 2 has first leads 2 a having inner end parts placed on and bonded to a main surface 1 b of the semiconductor chip 1, and second leads 2 b having inner parts terminated and arranged around the semiconductor chip 1.

[0068] The basic construction of an LOC type semiconductor device 5 in the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view corresponding to a section along line A-A in FIG. 12. The LOC 5 comprises a semiconductor chip 1 having a main surface 1 b in which semiconductor elements and a plurality of bonding pads 1 a are formed and a back surface 1 c opposite to the main surface 1 b, a lead frame having a plurality of leads 2 e including a plurality of first leads 2 a each having an inner part 2 c overlying the main surface 1 b of the semiconductor chip 1, and an outer part 2 d, and a plurality of second leads 2 b each having an inner part 2 c having a bonding portion 2 f terminating near the semiconductor chip 1 and connected to a bonding wire 3, and an outer part 2 d, bonding wires 3 electrically connecting the bonding portions 2 f of the inner parts 2 c of the first leads 2 a and the second leads 2 b to the bonding pads 1 a, respectively, and a sealing member 6 sealing therein the semiconductor chip 1, the inner parts 2 c of the leads 2 e and the bonding wires 3. The inner parts 2 c of the second leads 2 b sealed in the sealing member 6 have bending portions of the inner parts 2 c and falling substantially in a direction from the main surface 1 b toward the back surface 1 c of the semiconductor chip 1.

[0069] Generally, in the LOC, the plurality of second leads 2 b are bonded to the main surface 1 b of the semiconductor chip 1. Therefore, the leads 2 e including first leads 2 a and the second leads 2 b project outside from positions nearer to the upper surface 6 b of the sealing member 6 on a side surface 6 a of the sealing member 6, and the outer parts 2 d extending outside the sealing member 6 are bent down at portions thereof near the side surface 6 a of the sealing member 6. As shown in FIG. 9, the distance H between the upper surface of a portion of the lead 2 e projecting from the side surface 6 a of the sealing member 6 and the upper surface 6 b of the sealing member 6 is far shorter than the distance I between the lower surface of the same portion of the lead 2 e projecting from the side surface 6 a of the sealing member 6 and the lower surface 6 c of the sealing member 6 (H <<I). Therefore, the outer part 2 d of each lead 2 e bent so as to extend downward can be formed in a very long length L. When the LOC 5 is mounted on a mounting board 11 (FIG. 20) by attaching the outer parts 2 d of the leads 2 e to a circuit formed on the mounting board 11 with solder for cycle tests to test the reliability of the LOC 5, the outer parts 2 d having the long length L reduces stress that is induced in the solder. Consequently, the life of the solder bonding the outer parts 2 c to the circuit of the mounting board can be extended.

[0070] Since the inner parts 2 c of the second leads 2 b sealed in the sealing member 6 have bending portions 2 k formed by bending portions of the inner parts 2 c and falling substantially in a direction from the main surface 1 b toward the back surface 1 c of the semiconductor chip 1, the inner parts 2 c can be disposed in a middle region of the sealing member 6 with respect to the thickness of the sealing member 6. Therefore, the sealing member 6 can be formed so that the thickness J of an upper portion 6 f of the sealing member 6 overlying the inner parts 2 c and the thickness K of a lower portion 6 g of the same underlying the inner parts 2 c are approximately equal to each other (J≈K)

[0071] Thus, in the LOC 5 in the second embodiment of LOC construction provided with the semiconductor chip 1 formed in a small size achieved by chip shrinking, the upper portion 6 f (upper resin part) and the lower portion 6 g (lower resin part) of the sealing member 6 respectively on the opposite sides of a plane including the bonding portions 2 f of the inner part 2 c of the second leads 2 b can be formed in satisfactory resin balance and hence the transforming of the sealing member can be prevented.

[0072] In this description, the words ‘up’, ‘upper’, ‘upward’ ‘high’ and the like are used to modify directions, positions, parts and the like farther from the contact surfaces 2 g of the outer parts 2 d of the leads 2 e to be brought into contact with the mounting board 11, and the words ‘down’, ‘lower’, downward’, ‘low’ and the like are used to modify directions, positions, parts and the like nearer to the contact surfaces 2 g of the outer parts 2 d of the leads 2 e.

[0073] The construction of the LOC 5 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 10 to 17. FIGS. 13 to 16 are enlarged, fragmentary sectional views taken on line A-A, line A-B, line C-C, line D-D, respectively, in FIG. 12 showing the lead frame 2 and the semiconductor chip 1 mounted on the lead frame 2 in a state after the completion of a die bonding process in an enlarged plan view. In FIGS. 12 to 16, chain lines indicate the sealing member 6 and it expresses the external shape of the sealing body 6 after the molding as a virtual line.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 10(b), end portions of the inner parts 2 c of the first leads 2 a are fastened to the main surface lb of the semiconductor chip 1 with an insulating tape 7, such as a polyimide tape to support the semiconductor chip on the first leads 2 a. The outer part 2 d of each lead 2 e projects laterally outside from the side surface 6 a of the sealing member 6, and bent so as to extend downward. A lower end portion of the outer part 2 d is bent laterally so as to extend away from the sealing member 6. The outer parts 2 d of the leads 2 e are shaped to form gull-wing leads. The outer parts 2 d of the first leads 2 a and the second leads 2 b project outside from the side surfaces 6 a of the sealing member 6 at positions above the level of the main surface 1 b of the semiconductor chip 1.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 10(b), the sealing member 6 has the upper surface 6 b on the side of the main surface 1 b of the semiconductor chip 1, a lower surface 6 c on the side of the back surface 1 c of the semiconductor chip 1, and the four side surfaces 6 a. Therefore, the distance H between the upper surface of a portion of the lead 2 e projecting from the side surface 6 a of the sealing member 6 and the upper surface 6 b of the sealing member 6 is far shorter than the distance I between the lower surface of the same portion of the lead 2 e projecting from the side surface 6 a of the sealing member 6 and the lower surface 6 c of the sealing member 6 (H<<I). Therefore, the outer part 2 d of each lead 2 e bent so as to extend downward can be formed in a very long length L. When the LOC 5 is mounted on a mounting board 11 (FIG. 20) by attaching the outer parts 2 d of the leads 2 e to a circuit formed on the mounting board 11 with solder for cycle tests, the outer parts 2 d having the long length L reduces stress that is induced in the solder. Consequently, in the LOC 5 which achieved by chip shrinking the life of the solder bonding the outer parts 2 c to the mounting board can be extended.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 10(a), the semiconductor chip 1 of the LOC 5 has a rectangular shape. As shown in FIG. 17, the plurality of bonding pads 1 a are arranged in a middle region of the main surface 1 b of the semiconductor chip 1 in a line substantially in parallel to the long sides of the main surface lb of the semiconductor chip 1.

[0077] Functions of the pins (leads 2 e) of the semiconductor chip 1 of the LOC 5 will be described with reference to FIG. 12. Indicated at Vcc are power supply pins, at Vss are grounding pins, A₁ to A₁₃ are address input pins, at RAS is a row address strobe pin, at CAS is a column address strobe pin, at DQ₀ to DQ₁₅ are data I/O pins, at CLK is a clock input pin, at CKE is a clock enable input pin, at WE is a write enable pin, at CS is a chip select pin, and at NC is a nonconnected pin.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 10(a), the sealing member 6 has a rectangular shape corresponding to the rectangular semiconductor chip 1. When the semiconductor chip is formed in a small size achieved by chip shrinking, a surrounding region of a relatively large area is formed around the semiconductor chip in the sealing member 6. The surrounding region will be divided into longitudinal end sections 6 d contiguous with the opposite (outside) longitudinal ends of the semiconductor chip 1, and side sections (wide direction) 6 e contiguous with the long sides of the semiconductor chip 1. The longitudinal end sections 6 d and the side sections 6 e will individually be described with reference to FIG. 10(a). The longitudinal end sections 6 d extend contiguously with the opposite longitudinal ends of the semiconductor chip 1, respectively. The side sections 6 e extends contiguously with the long sides of the semiconductor chip 1. At least the leads 2 e arranged in the longitudinal end sections 6 d have inner parts 2 c provided with the bending portions 2 k. In the second embodiment, both the leads 2 e arranged in the longitudinal end sections 6 d and those arranged in the long side sections 6 e have the inner parts 2 c provided with the bending portions 2 k, respectively.

[0079] In the LOC 5, the second leads 2 b longer than the first leads 2 a are arranged in the longitudinal end sections 6 d of the sealing member 6, i.e., sections between the short sides of the semiconductor chip 1 and the short sides of the sealing member 6. The arrangement of the second leads 2 b longer than the first leads 2 a in the longitudinal end sections 6 d contributes to enhancing rigidity of the longitudinal end sections 6 d having a relatively large area, which is effective in preventing the transformation of the sealing member 6 of the LOC 5.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 17, the first leads 2 a are arranged along and extended perpendicularly to the long sides of the semiconductor chip 1. Bus bar leads 2 h respectively for power supply and grounding branched from the second lead 2 b are extended on the main surface 1 b of the semiconductor chip 1. The bus bar leads 2 h are extended across the opposite short sides of the semiconductor chip 1.

[0081] At least the second leads 2 b among the leads 2 e disposed in the longitudinal end sections 6 d of the sealing member 6 are provided with a through hole 2 i or a narrow slot 2 j. The through hole 2 i or the narrow slot 2 j may be formed in the first leads 2 a disposed in the longitudinal end sections 6 d. The first leads 2 a may be provided with both a through hole 2 i and a narrow slot 2 j, or either the through hole 2 i or the narrow slot 2 j. The leads 2 e disposed in the side sections 6 e may be provided with a through hole 2 i or a narrow slot 2 j.

[0082] When the resin 8 for sealing (FIG. 18) is injected in a cavity formed in a mold to form the sealing member 6, the resin 8 fills up the through holes 2 i or the narrow slots 2 j to enhance the adhesion of the sealing member 6 to the leads 2 e, which suppresses the transformation of the sealing member 6 of the LOC 5. When the sealing resin 8 is injected into the cavity, the resin 8 is able to flow through the through hole 2 i or the narrow slot 2 j. Consequently, the resin 8 can be distributed properly to a space corresponding to a portion of the sealing member 6 overlying the inner parts 2 c of the leads 2 e and a space corresponding to a portion of the sealing member 6 underlying the inner parts 2 c of the leads 2 e in satisfactory resin balance, which suppresses the transformation of the sealing member 6.

[0083] Two kinds of level difference at the bending portion of the inner part 2 c of the lead 2 e, the level differences will be explained with reference to FIGS. 13 to 16. For example, a level difference P is 0.27 mm and a level difference Q (level difference Q in FIG. 16) is 0.10 mm. Therefore, P−Q=0.27 −0.10=0.17 mm.

[0084] The LOC 5 has the leads 2 e including the first leads 2 a each having a first bending portion 2 k falling in a direction from the main surface 1 b toward the back surface 1 c of the semiconductor chip 1 and a second bending portion 21 rising in a direction from the back surface 1 c toward the main surface 1 b of the semiconductor chip 1 as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the second leads 2 b each having only a first bending portion 2 k falling in a direction from the main surface 1 b toward the back surface 1 c of the semiconductor chip 1 as shown in FIG. 13, and third leads 2 m each having only a first bending portion 2 k falling in a direction from the main surface 1 b toward the back surface 1 c of the semiconductor chip 1 as shown in FIG. 16.

[0085] The first lead 2 a shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 is disposed in the longitudinal end section 6 d and has the inner part 2 c having the two bending portions. An end portion of the inner part 2 c of the first lead 2 a is placed on the main surface of the semiconductor chip 1. The second lead 2 b shown in FIG. 13 is disposed in the longitudinal end section 6 d and has the inner part 2 c having the one bending portion and terminating near the semiconductor chip 1. The third lead 2 m shown in FIG. 16 is disposed in the side section 6 e and has the inner part 2 c having the one bending portion. An end portion of the inner part 2 c of the third lead 2 m is placed on the main surface of the semiconductor chip 1.

[0086] The first bending portions 2 k and the second bending portions 21 are formed in the regions surrounding the semiconductor chip 1. In the LOC 5, the first bending portions 2 k and the second bending portions 21 of the first leads 2 a are formed in the longitudinal end sections 6 d. The level of a portion of the inner part 2 c of the first lead 2 a extending from the upper end of the first bending portion 2 k is higher than that of a portion of the inner part 2 c of the first lead 2 a extending from the upper end of the second bending portion 21. The level of a portion of the inner part 2 c of the first lead 2 a between the first bending portion 2 k and the second bending portion 21 is lower than that of the end portion of the inner part 2 c of the same placed on the main surface 1 b of the semiconductor chip 1.

[0087] Since the first bending portion 2 k is formed near the side surface 6 a of the sealing member 6 in the longitudinal end section 6 d, the portion of the inner part 2 c between the first bending portion 2 k and the second bending portion 21 can be relatively long. Therefore, resin balance between the portion of the sealing member 6 overlying the leads 2 e and the portion of the same underlying the leads 2 e in the longitudinal end sections 6 d is satisfactory, which suppresses the transformation of the sealing member 6 of the LOC 5.

[0088] As shown in FIGS. 14 to 16, the semiconductor chip 1 is sealed in the sealing member 6 so that the distance M between the upper surface 6 b of the sealing member 6 and the upper surface of the end portion of the inner part 2 c of each of the first leads 2 a and the third leads 2 m placed on the main surface lb of the semiconductor chip 1 is substantially equal to the distance N between the back surface 1 c of the semiconductor chip land the lower surface 6 c of the sealing member 6. Accordingly, resin balance between a portion of the sealing member 6 overlying the semiconductor chip 1 and a portion of the same underlying the semiconductor chip 1 is satisfactory.

[0089] A structural feature of the LOC 5 will be described in terms of the inner part 2 c of the first lead 2 a. The inner part 2 c has the portion between the first bending portion 2 k and the second bending section 21 formed in the region surrounding the semiconductor chip 1 and extending on a level lower than that of the end portion resting on the semiconductor chip 1. In the sealing member 6 and in the area that is further far from the semiconductor chip 1 than a second bending portion 21 of the inner part 2 c has a position (a position that the inner part 2 c is projecting outside from the sealing member 6) on a level higher than that of a position on a level lower (an area between the first bending portion 2 k and the second bending portion 21) of the inner part 2 c, the position on a level lower of the inner part 2 c is formed by bending in the direction from the back surface 1 c toward the main surface 1 b of the semiconductor chip 1. Thus, the inner part 2 c projects outside from the sealing member 6 at a position on a level higher than that of the semiconductor chip 1 and becomes into the outer part 2 d.

[0090] A structural feature of the LOC 5 will be described in terms of the volume of the sealing member 6. In the LOC 5, a volume determined by the one or two bending portions, and the areas of the upper surface 6 b of the sealing member 6 and the inner parts 2 c having the bending portions is substantially equal to a volume determined by the one or two bending portions, and the areas of the lower surface 6 c of the sealing member 6 and the inner parts 2 c having the bending portions. Therefore, resin balance between the portion of the sealing member 6 overlying the inner parts 2 c and the portion of the same underlying the inner parts 2 c is satisfactory.

[0091] A structural feature of the LOC 5 will be described in terms of the sections of the region in the sealing member 6 surrounding the semiconductor chip 1. The leads 2 e have inner parts 2 c formed in the bending portions 2 k and 21 each of which is bent from the main surface 1 b to the basic surface 1 c of the semiconductor chip 1, they are formed in the region surrounding the semiconductor chip 1 and in the sealing member 6. On that occasion, the bending portions having a many kinds of level differences are formed in the outside area of the semiconductor chip 1.

[0092] As shown in FIGS. 13 to 16, in the LOC 5 in the second embodiment, the leads 2 e have two kinds of bending portion, one of the inner parts 2 c having the first bending portion 2 k or another of the inner part 2 c having both the first bending portion 2 k and the second bending portion 21. The level difference P corresponding to the height of the first bending portion 2 k of the lead 2 e disposed in the longitudinal end sections 6 d is 0.27 mm, and the level difference Q corresponding to the height of the second bending portion 21 of the same lead 2 e is 0.17 mm. The level difference P corresponding to the height of the first bending portion 2 k of the lead 2 e disposed in the side sections 6 e is 0.17 mm. The inner part 2 c of each lead 2 e may have any number of different bending portions.

[0093] As shown in FIG. 16, the leads 2 e having the inner parts 2 c having the first bending portion 2 k are disposed in the side sections 6 e of the outside region in the width direction of the chip, and surrounding the semiconductor chip 1. Therefore, the level difference corresponding to the height of the bending portion of the inner part 2 c of each of the leads 2 e disposed in the longitudinal end sections 6 d is different from that determined by the bending portion of the inner part 2 c of each of the leads 2 e disposed in the side sections 6 e. The level difference corresponding to the height of the bending portion of the inner part 2 c of each of the leads 2 e disposed in the longitudinal end sections 6 d is greater than that corresponding to the height of the bending portion of the inner part 2 c of each of the leads 2 e disposed in the side sections 6 e.

[0094] As shown in FIGS. 13 to 16, the level difference corresponding to the height of the first bending portion 2 k formed in the inner part 2 c of each of the leads 2 e disposed in the longitudinal end sections 6 d is 0.27 mm, and the level difference corresponding to the height of the first bending portion 2 k formed in the inner part 2 c of each of the leads 2 e disposed in the side section 6 e is 0.17 mm. The area of the longitudinal end sections 6 d in the sealing member 6 is greater than that of the side sections in the sealing member 6 and hence the sealing member is liable to transform in longitudinally. Therefore, the inner part 2 c of each of the leads 2 e disposed in the longitudinal end sections 6 d has the first bending portion 2 k determining the large level difference to improve resin balance between the portion of the sealing member 6 overlying the inner parts 2 c and the portion of the same underlying the inner parts 2 c. Thus, the transformation in the longitudinal direction of the LOC 5 can be prevented.

[0095] The inner parts 2 c of the plurality of leads 2 e disposed in the longitudinal end sections 6 d have substantially the same width and are arranged at substantially equal intervals. As shown in FIG. 11, the second leads 2 b disposed in the longitudinal end sections 6 d (FIG. 10) are provided with the through holes 2 i and the narrow slots 2 j to form the first leads 2 a and the second leads 2 b disposed in the longitudinal end sections 6 d in a uniform width. The first leads 2 a and the second leads 2 b are arranged at substantially equal intervals and the same width. When stress is applied to a part of the sealing member 6 corresponding to the longitudinal end section 6 d having a large area, the stress can be distributed and local stress concentration in the part corresponding to the longitudinal end section 6 d can be avoided and, consequently, the transformation in the longitudinal direction of the sealing member 6 can be avoided.

[0096] Materials forming the components of the LOC 5 in the second embodiment will be described. The lead frame 2 having the first leads 2 a, the second leads 2 b and the third leads 2 m is made of iron, copper or an iron-nickel alloy. The bonding 34 wires 3 are thin metal wires of, for example, gold. The resin 8 forming the sealing member 6 is a thermosetting epoxy resin or the like. The insulating tape 7 fastening the semiconductor chip 1 to the inner parts 2 c of the first leads 2 a is a heat-resistant tape, such as a polyimide tape.

[0097] A process for manufacturing the semiconductor device (LOC 5) in the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 19. The lead frame 2 shown in FIG. 11 is prepared in step S1 as shown in FIG. 19. The lead frame 2 has the plurality of leads 2 e including the plurality of first leads 2 a having the end portions placed on the main surface 1 b of the semiconductor chip 1, the plurality of third leads 2 m having end portions placed on the main surface 1 b, and the plurality of second leads 2 b having end portions terminating near the semiconductor chip 1. The inner parts 2 c of the leads 2 e to be sealed in the sealing member 6 has the first bending portions 2 k and the second sloping sections 21. The insulating tapes 7 are attached to the end portions of the inner parts 2 c of the first leads 2 a and the third leads 2 m, and the bus bar leads 2 h to hold the semiconductor chip 1 fixedly on the lead frame 2. Crosses (x) marked on the first leads 2 a, the second leads 2 b and the bus bar leads 2 h indicate the bonding portions 2 f to be connected to the bonding wires 3 by a wire bonding process.

[0098] In step S2, the inner parts 2 c of the leads 2 e are bonded to the main surface 1 b of the semiconductor chip 1 by a die bonding process. As shown in FIG. 12, the end portions of the inner parts 2 c of the first leads 2 a and the third leads 2 m, and the bus bar leads 2 h are bonded through the insulating tapes 7 to the main surface 1 b of the semiconductor chip 1 by a thermal compression bonding process. Consequently, the semiconductor chip 1 is supported through the insulating tapes 7 on the end portions of the inner parts 2 c of the first leads 2 a and the third leads 2 m, and the bus bar leads 2 h.

[0099] In step S3, the end portions of the inner parts 2 c are connected electrically to the corresponding bonding pads 1 a of the semiconductor chip 1 by the bonding wires 3, respectively, as shown in FIG. 17.

[0100] In step S4, the semiconductor chip 1, the inner parts 2 c of the leads 2 e and the bonding wires 3 are sealed in the sealing member 6 by a transfer molding process using a mold 9 shown in FIG. 18. On that occasion, in the LOC 5, a part of the second lead 2 b, i.e. the bus bar lead 2 h serving as a power supply lead or a grounding lead is a branch lead branched from the second lead 2 b. As shown in FIG. 18, the mold 9 is provided with a gate 9 a (opening through which the molten resin 8 enters the cavity 9 b) at a position corresponding to a suspension lead 2 t for the bus bar lead 2 h (FIG. 11). The resin 8 is injected through the gate 9 a into the cavity 9 b.

[0101] Since the inner part 2 c of each second lead 2 b has the first bending portion 2 k at a position near the side surface of the cavity 9 b as shown in FIG. 18, the flow of the molten resin 8 fed through the gate 9 a extending along the suspension lead 2 t into the cavity 9 b is disturbed by the first bending portion 2 k and a turbulent flow of the resin 8 is generated. Consequently, the molten resin 8 is distributed into a space in the cavity 9 b corresponding to a portion of the sealing member 6 overlying the portion of the inner part 2 c extending from the lower end of the first bending portion 2 k and a space in the cavity 9 b corresponding to a portion of the sealing member 6 underlying the same. Since the second lead 2 b is provided with the through hole 2 i and the narrow slot 2 j as shown in FIG. 11, the cavity 9 b can be charged up with the molten resin 8 that flows through hole 2 i and the narrow slot 2 j. Consequently, the sealing member 6 has satisfactory resin balance between an upper part 6 f and a lower part 6 g (FIGS. 13 and 14) thereof. Since the second leads 2 b disposed in the longitudinal end sections 6 d are provided with the through holes 2 i and the narrow slots 2 j, respectively, the upper part 6 f and the lower part 6 g of the sealing member 6 can be contacted by the resin 8 filling up the through holes 2 i and the narrow slots 2 j. Thus the sealing member 6 and the inner parts 2 c of the leads 2 e can firmly be joined together, which prevents the longitudinal transformation of the sealing member 6. When injecting the molten resin 8 into the cavity 9 b, the molten resin 8 is stored temporarily in a gate resin potted unit 9 c.

[0102] In step S5, the lead frame 2 is cut and the outer parts 2 d of the leads 2 e are shaped. The outer parts 2 d of the leads 2 e are cut off a frame 2 u of the lead frame 2. The outer parts 2 d are separated from each other, and the outer parts 2 d of the leads 2 e are shaped to form gull-wing leads to complete the LOC 5.

[0103] The LOC 5 is subjected to various tests. The LOC 5 complete and passed the tests is incorporated into a module 10 as shown in FIG. 20. The module 10 is, for example, a memory module constructed by mounting a plurality of semiconductor devices (LOC 5) on the opposite surfaces of a mounting board 11 by reflow soldering or the like. When the LOC 5 is intended for such a memory module, the semiconductor chip 1 is a memory chip. The module 10 is not limited to the memory module and maybe a module having functions other than a storage function. The LOC 5 may be mounted on a mounting board or the like for independent use.

[0104] The LOC 5 in the second embodiment and the process for manufacturing the same have the following effects.

[0105] The LOC 5 provided with the semiconductor chip 1 formed in a small size achieved by chip shrinking has the second leads 2 b having inner parts 2 c not extended over the main surface lb of the semiconductor chip 1, and the inner part 2 c of each second lead 2 b has at least either the first bending portion 2 k or the second sloping section 21. Therefore, the portion of the sealing member 6 overlying the first leads 2 a and the second leads 2 b and corresponding to the longitudinal end section 6 d and the portion of the same underlying the first leads 2 a and the second leads 2 b and corresponding to the longitudinal end section 6 d can be formed in satisfactory resin balance. Consequently, the transformation of the sealing member 6 of the LOC 5 can be prevented.

[0106] Since the inner parts of the second leads 2 b and the third leads 2 m have the bending portions, respectively, the bonding portions 2 f of the second leads 2 b and the third leads 2 m connected to the bonding wires 3 are at low positions relative to the bonding pads 1 a. Consequently, the wire 3 will not extend outside the sealing member 6 and the wire 3 cannot be seen through the sealing member 6.

[0107] Further, since the inner parts of the second leads 2 b and the third leads 2 m have the bending portions, respectively, the bonding portions 2 f of the second leads 2 b and the third leads 2 m connected to the bonding wires 3 are at low positions relative to the bonding pads 1 a.

[0108] Consequently, the deformation of the bonding wires 3 due to wire flow during molding can be suppressed, which enhances the performance and reliability of the LOC 5.

[0109] Some of the first leads 2 a having end portions placed on the semiconductor chip 1 has the first bending portion 2 k falling in a direction from the main surface 1 b toward the back surface 1 c of the semiconductor chip 1 and the second bending portion 21 nearer to the semiconductor chip 1 than the first bending portion 2 k and rising in a direction from the back surface 1 c toward the main surface 1 b of the semiconductor chip 1. Therefore, resin balance of portions of the sealing member 6 corresponding to the longitudinal end sections 6 d and the side sections 6 e in the sealing member 6 is satisfactory and hence transformation of the LOC 5 provided with the semiconductor chip 1 of a small size achieved by chip shrinking can be prevented.

[0110] Although the invention has been described in its preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited thereto in its practical application and many changes and variations may be made without departing from the scope thereof. For example, the inner part 2 c of each of the leads 2 e of the LOC 5 may be formed in any suitable one of various shapes differing from each other in the number and position of bending portions.

[0111] A LOC 5 in an embodiment shown in FIG. 21(a) has a semiconductor chip 1, and second leads 2 b each having an inner part 2 c having a high portion 2 n on a level above a main surface 1 b of the semiconductor chip 1 and a low portion 2 p on a level below the main surface 1 b of the semiconductor chip 1 as shown in FIG. 21(b), and the total area of the low portions 2 p of the inner parts 2 c is greater than that of the high portions 2 n of the inner parts 2 c. Since the low portions 2 p, the total area of which is greater than that of the high portions 2 n, are disposed in a middle region of a sealing member 6 with respect to height, resin balance is satisfactory in portions of the sealing member 6 corresponding to longitudinal end sections 6 d contiguous with the opposite longitudinal ends of the semiconductor chip 1. Thus, transformation of the sealing member 6 can be prevented.

[0112] Each second lead 2 b may have an inner part 2 c having a first high portion 2 q extending in the sealing member 6 near the side surface of the sealing member 6 on a level above the main surface 1 b of the semiconductor chip 1, a second high portion 2 r resting on the main surface 1 b of the semiconductor chip 1 and a low portion 2 p extending on a level below the main surface 1 b of the semiconductor chip 1 between the first high portion 2 q and the second high portion 2 r as shown in FIG. 21(c). Since the first high portions 2 q of the inner parts 2 c of the second leads 2 b are disposed in the sealing member 6 near the side surfaces of the sealing member 6, the first high portions 2 q do not affect adversely to resin balance in portions of the sealing member 6 corresponding to the longitudinal end sections 6 d. The second high portion 2 r of the second lead 2 b is on a level above that of the low portion 2 p of the same, and the first high portion 2 q of the second lead 2 b is on a level above that of the second high portion 2 r of the same.

[0113] FIGS. 22(a) and 22(b) show a LOC in a further embodiment according to the present invention. Each of first leads 2 a may be provided with zero to three bending portions. As shown in FIG. 22(b), each of some of first leads 2 a and second leads 2 b has a first bending portion 2 k falling in a direction from the main surface 1 b toward the back surface 1 c of the semiconductor chip 1, and each of the same first leads 2 a has a second bending portion 21 rising in a direction from the back surface 1 c toward the main surface 1 b of the semiconductor chip 1 and formed at a position nearer to the semiconductor chip 1 than the first bending portion 2 k. Preferably, the first bending portion 2 k is formed near a position where the lead 2 e intersects the side surface 6 a of a sealing member 6 perpendicularly. The first leads 2 a may include leads 2 s (FIG. 22(a)) each having only a bending portion falling in a direction from the main surface lb toward the back surface 1 c of the semiconductor chip 1. When each second lead 2 b has a branch lead, the branch lead of the second lead 2 b may be fastened to the main surface 1 b of the semiconductor chip 1. Preferably, the first bending portions 2 k and the second bending portions 21 are disposed at least in longitudinal end sections 6 d, i.e., sections between the opposite longitudinal ends of the semiconductor chip 1 and the corresponding opposite longitudinal ends of the sealing member 6. Both the first leads 2 a and the second leads 2 b or at least either the first leads 2 a or the second leads 2 b may be provided with the bending portion in the region surrounding the semiconductor chip 1.

[0114] Although the outer parts 2 d of the leads 2 e of the LOCs 5 in the first and the second embodiment are shaped to form the gull-wing leads, the outer parts 2 d of the leads 2 e may be shaped in leads of any suitable shape other than the gull-wing leads, such as J-shaped leads.

[0115] As is apparent from the foregoing description, the representative embodiments of the present invention have the following effects.

[0116] (1) Since the inner part of each of the second leads not disposed on the main surface of the semiconductor chip has the bending portion falling in a direction from the main surface toward the back surface of the semiconductor chip, the molten resin can be distributed in the cavity in satisfactory resin balance between a portion of the sealing member overlying the second leads and a portion of the same underlying the second leads corresponding to the longitudinal end section when molding. Consequently, transformation of the LOC provided with the semiconductor chip 1 of a small size achieved by chip shrinking can be prevented.

[0117] (2) Since the inner parts of the second leads have the bending portions, respectively, the bonding portions of the second leads connected to the bonding wires are at relatively low positions. Consequently, the bonding wires will not extend outside the sealing member and cannot be seen through the sealing member. The deformation of the bonding wires connected to the second leads due to wire flow during molding can be suppressed, which enhances the performance and reliability of the LOC.

[0118] (3) Each of some of the first leads and the second leads has the first bending portion falling in a direction from the main surface toward the back surface of the semiconductor chip, and each of the same first leads has the second bending portion rising in a direction from the back surface toward the main surface of the semiconductor chip and formed at a position nearer to the semiconductor chip than the first bending portion. Therefore, resin balance of portions of the sealing member corresponding to the longitudinal end sections and the side sections in the sealing member is satisfactory and hence transformation of the LOC provided with the semiconductor chip of a small size achieved by chip shrinking can be prevented.

[0119] Although the invention has been described in its preferred embodiments with a certain degree of particularity, obviously many changes and variations are possible therein. It is therefore to be understood that the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein without departing from the scope and spirit thereof.

[0120] The present invention includes further following invention:

[0121] 1. A process for manufacturing a resin-molded semiconductor device comprising the steps of:

[0122] preparing a lead frame having a frame member, and a plurality of leads including a plurality of first leads respectively having inner parts arranged so as to overlie a main surface of a semiconductor chip, and a plurality of second leads respectively having inner parts terminating near the semiconductor chip and having bending portions falling substantially in a direction from the main surface toward a back surface of the semiconductor chip;

[0123] bonding the inner parts of the first leads to the main surface of the semiconductor chip;

[0124] electrically connecting bonding pads of the semiconductor chip to the corresponding inner parts of the leads by bonding wires;

[0125] forming a sealing member to seal the semiconductor chip, the inner parts of the leads and the bonding wires therein by substantially evenly distributing a resin in regions of a cavity of a mold on the upper and the lower side of the bending portions of the leads; and

[0126] cutting off outer parts of the leads projecting from the sealing member from the framing member of the lead frame.

[0127] 2. A process for manufacturing a resin-molded semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the second leads are bus bar leads respectively for power supply and grounding, and a molten resin is injected into the cavity of the mold provided with a gate formed at a position corresponding to a hanger lead for the bus bar lead.

[0128] 3. A process for manufacturing a resin-molded semiconductor device according to claim 2, wherein each of the second leads is provided with at least either a through hole or a narrow slot, and the molten resin injected through the gate into the cavity flows through either the through hole or the narrow slot of each second lead so that the molten resin flows evenly into the regions of the cavity of the mold on the upper and the lower side of the bending portions of the leads.

[0129] 4. A process for manufacturing a resin-molded semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein insulating tapes are attached at least to inner end portions of the inner parts of the first leads, and the inner end portions of the inner parts of the first leads are bonded through the insulating tapes to the main surface of the semiconductor chip. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A semiconductor device comprising: a semiconductor chip having a main surface in which semiconductor elements and a plurality of bonding pads are formed, and a back surface opposite the main surface; a plurality of leads each having an inner part and an outer part, and including a plurality of first leads having inner end portions extended on the main surface of the semiconductor chip and a plurality of second leads having inner end portions terminating near the semiconductor chip; bonding wires electrically connecting the bonding pads to the inner parts of the first and the second leads; and a sealing member sealing the semiconductor chip, the inner parts of the leads and the bonding wires therein; wherein each of the inner parts of the second leads sealed in the sealing member has a bending portion falling substantially in a direction from the main surface toward the back surface of the semiconductor chip.
 2. A semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the inner parts of the first leads are fixed to the main surface of the semiconductor chip.
 3. A semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the outer parts of the first and the second leads project outside from the sealing member at positions on a level above the main surface of the semiconductor chip.
 4. A semiconductor device according to claim 3, wherein the sealing member has an upper surface on the side of the main surface of the semiconductor chip and a lower surface on the side of the back surface of the semiconductor chip, and the distance between a portion of the sealing member at which the inner part of each leads projects from the sealing member and the upper surface of the sealing member is shorter than the distance between the portion of the sealing member at which the inner part of each leads projects from the sealing member and the lower surface of the sealing member.
 5. A semiconductor device according to claim 4, wherein the outer part of each lead project in a direction away from the sealing member, bent in a direction forward the lower surface of the sealing member and bent so as to extend away from the sealing member.
 6. A semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the semiconductor chip has a rectangular shape, and the bonding pads are arranged in a middle region of the main surface of the semiconductor chip in a line substantially parallel to the long sides of the main surface of the semiconductor chip.
 7. A semiconductor device according to claim 6, wherein the sealing member has a rectangular shape in plan corresponding to the rectangular shape of the semiconductor chip, and the second leads longer than the first leads are arranged in a longitudinal end sections between short sides of the semiconductor chip and corresponding short sides of the sealing member.
 8. A semiconductor device according to claim 6, wherein the first leads are arranged along and extended perpendicularly to the long sides of the semiconductor chip.
 9. A semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein some of the second leads have end portions extended on the main surface of the semiconductor chip.
 10. A semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the second leads are bus bar leads serving as power supply leads and grounding leads, respectively.
 11. A semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein each of the second leads is provided with at least one through hole.
 12. A semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein each of the second leads is provided with at least a narrow slot.
 13. A semiconductor device comprising: a semiconductor chip having a main surface in which semiconductor elements and a plurality of bonding pads are formed; a plurality of leads each having an inner part and an outer part, and including a plurality of first leads having inner end portions extended on the main surface of the semiconductor chip and a plurality of second leads having inner end portions terminating near the semiconductor chip; bonding wires electrically connecting the bonding pads to the inner parts of the first and the second leads; and a sealing member sealing the semiconductor chip, the inner parts of the leads and the bonding wires therein; wherein each of the inner parts of the second leads sealed in the sealing member has a high portion extending on a level high against the main surface of the semiconductor chip and a low portion extending on a level low against the main surface of the semiconductor chip, and the total area of the low portions of the inner parts of the second leads is greater than that of the high portions of the same.
 14. A semiconductor device according to claim 13, wherein the inner parts of the first leads are fixed to the main surface of the semiconductor chip.
 15. A semiconductor device according to claim 13, wherein each second lead has an inner part having a first high portion extending in the sealing member near a side surface of the sealing member on a level high against the main surface of the semiconductor chip, and further having a second high portion resting on the main surface of the semiconductor chip and a low portion extending on a level low against the main surface of the semiconductor chip between the first high portion and the second high portion.
 16. A semiconductor device according to claim 15, wherein the second high portion of the inner part of each second lead extends on a level above a level on which the low portion of the inner part of the same second lead extends.
 17. A semiconductor device according to claim 15, wherein the first high portion of the inner part of each second lead extends on a level above a level on which the second high portion of the inner part of the same second lead extends with respect to the main surface of the semiconductor chip.
 18. A semiconductor device according to claim 13, wherein each second lead is provided with at least one through hole.
 19. A semiconductor device according to claim 13, wherein each second lead is provided with at least one narrow slot.
 20. A semiconductor device comprising: a semiconductor chip having a main surface in which semiconductor elements and a plurality of bonding pads are formed, and a back surface opposite the main surface; a plurality of leads each having an inner part and an outer part, and including a plurality of first leads having inner end portions extended on the main surface of the semiconductor chip and a plurality of second leads having end portions terminating near the semiconductor chip; bonding wires electrically connecting the bonding pads to the inner parts of the first and the second leads; and a sealing member sealing the semiconductor chip, the inner parts of the leads and the bonding wires therein; wherein some of the first leads and the second leads have first bending portions bending substantially in a direction from the main surface toward the back surface of the semiconductor chip, and each of the same first leads respectively having the first bending portions has a second bending portion rising substantially in a direction from the back surface toward the main surface of the semiconductor chip and formed at a position nearer to the semiconductor chip than the first bending portion.
 21. A semiconductor device according to claim 20, wherein each first bending portion is formed in the sealing member near a position where the lead intersects the side surface of sealing member perpendicularly.
 22. A semiconductor device according to claim 20, wherein the first leads include leads each having one bending portion falling in a direction from the main surface toward the back surface.
 23. A semiconductor device according to claim 20, wherein the second leads fixed to the main surface of the semiconductor chip.
 24. A semiconductor device according to claim 20, wherein semiconductor chip has a rectangular shape, and the first and the second bending portions are arranged in longitudinal end sections between short sides of the semiconductor chip and corresponding short sides of the sealing member.
 25. A semiconductor device according to claim 20, wherein the first and the second leads are bent in a region surrounding the semiconductor chip.
 26. A semiconductor device according to claim 20, wherein each second lead is provided with at least one through hole.
 27. A semiconductor device according to claim 20, wherein each second lead is provided with one narrow slot.
 28. A semiconductor device comprising: a semiconductor chip having a main surface in which semiconductor elements and a plurality of bonding pads are formed, and a back surface opposite the main surface; a plurality of leads each having an inner part having an inner end portion extended on the main surface of the semiconductor chip, and an outer part; bonding wires electrically connecting the bonding pads to the inner parts of the leads; and a sealing member sealing the semiconductor chip, the inner parts of the leads and the bonding wires therein; wherein the leads include a plurality of first leads each having the inner part having a first bending portion formed near a side surface of the sealing member and falling in a direction from the main surface toward the back surface of the semiconductor chip and a second bending portion nearer to the semiconductor chip than the first bending portion and rising in a direction from the back surface toward the main surface of the semiconductor chip, and a plurality of third leads each having the inner part having only a first bending portion falling in a direction from the main surface toward the back surface of the semiconductor chip.
 29. A semiconductor device according to claim 28, the first and the second bending portions are disposed in a region surrounding the semiconductor chip.
 30. A semiconductor device according to claim 28, wherein the first bending portions lie on a level above a level on which the second bending portions lie.
 31. A semiconductor device according to claim 28, wherein a portion between the first and the second bending portions of the inner part of each lead lies on a level below a level on which an inner end portion of the inner part extended on the main surface of the semiconductor chip lies.
 32. A semiconductor device comprising: a semiconductor chip having a main surface in which semiconductor elements and a plurality of bonding pads are formed, and a back surface opposite the main surface; a plurality of leads each having an inner part having an inner end portion extended on the main surface of the semiconductor chip, and an outer part; bonding wires electrically connecting the bonding pads to the inner parts of the leads; and a sealing member sealing the semiconductor chip, the inner parts of the leads and the bonding wires therein; wherein the inner part of each lead has a low portion which is lower than the end portion of the inner part depending on the inner part bending in a direction from the main surface toward the back surface of the semiconductor chip at the outside area of said semiconductor chip.
 33. A semiconductor device according to claim 32, wherein the inner part has a rising bending portion rising in a direction from the back surface toward the main surface of the semiconductor chip in the sealing member and lying farther from the semiconductor chip than the falling bending portion, and a high portion on a level higher than the level on which the low portion extends.
 34. A semiconductor device according to claim 32, wherein the inner part projects outside from the sealing member at a position on a level higher than a level on which the semiconductor chip lies and becomes into an outer part.
 35. A semiconductor device comprising: a semiconductor chip having a main surface in which semiconductor elements and a plurality of bonding pads are formed, and a back surface opposite the main surface; a sealing member sealing the semiconductor chip therein, and having an upper surface overlying the main surface of the semiconductor chip and a lower surface underlying the back surface of the semiconductor chip; a plurality of leads each having an inner part sealed in the sealing member and having a bent portion extending toward the lower surface of the sealing member, and an outer part projecting outside from the sealing member; and bonding wires sealed in the sealing member and electrically connecting the bonding pads to the inner parts of the leads; wherein a volume of a portion of the sealing member defined by the bent portions and an area of the upper surface of the sealing member and bent portions of the inner parts is substantially equal to a volume of a portion of the sealing member defined by the bent portions, and an area of the lower surface of the sealing member and the bent portions of the inner parts.
 36. A semiconductor device according to claim 35, wherein the outer parts project from the side surfaces of the sealing member on a level above a level a middle portion of the sealing member with respect to height lies.
 37. A semiconductor device according to claim 35, wherein each of the leads has a first inner end portion bonded to the main surface of the semiconductor chip, and a second inner end portion terminating near the semiconductor chip.
 38. A semiconductor device according to claim 35, wherein each leads is provided with at least one through hole.
 39. A semiconductor device according to claim 35, wherein the leads includes a plurality of leads each having an inner end portion fixed to the main surface of the semiconductor chip.
 40. A semiconductor device comprising: a semiconductor chip having a main surface provided with bonding pads; a sealing member sealing the semiconductor chip therein; a plurality of leads including a plurality of first leads having inner end portions fixed to a surface of the semiconductor chip, and a plurality of second leads having inner ends terminating near the semiconductor chip; and bonding wires electrically connecting the bonding pads to the first and the second leads; wherein the second leads have inner parts sealing in the sealing member and having bending portions, respectively.
 41. A semiconductor device comprising: a semiconductor chip having a main surface in which semiconductor elements and a plurality of bonding pads are formed, and a back surface opposite the main surface; a plurality of leads each having an inner part and an outer part, and including a plurality of first leads having inner end portions extended on the main surface of the semiconductor chip, and a plurality of second leads having inner end portions terminating near the semiconductor chip; bonding wires electrically connecting the bonding pads to the inner parts of the leads; and a sealing member sealing the semiconductor chip, the inner parts of the leads and the bonding wires therein; wherein the inner parts of the leads are arranged in a region of the sealing member surrounding the semiconductor chip, bending portions falling in a direction from the main surface toward the back surface of the semiconductor chip are formed in the inner parts of the leads, and the bending portions have different heights, respectively.
 42. A semiconductor device according to claim 41, wherein the semiconductor chip has a rectangular shape in plan, and the inner parts of the leads disposed in longitudinal end regions of the sealing member contiguous with short sides of the semiconductor chip have the bending portions.
 43. A semiconductor device according to claim 41, wherein the semiconductor chip has a rectangular shape in plan, and the inner parts of the leads disposed in side sections contiguous with long sides of the semiconductor chip of a region of the sealing member surrounding the semiconductor chip have the bending portions.
 44. A semiconductor device according to claim 41, wherein the semiconductor chip has a rectangular shape in plan, the sealing member has end portions corresponding to longitudinal end sections contiguous with opposite short sides in a region surrounding the semiconductor chip, and side portions corresponding to side sections contiguous with long sides of the semiconductor chip in the region surrounding the semiconductor chip, and the height of the bending portions of the inner parts of the leads disposed in the longitudinal end sections and that of the bending portions of the inner parts of the leads disposed in the side sections are different from each other.
 45. A semiconductor device according to claim 41, wherein the semiconductor chip has a rectangular shape in plan, the sealing member has end portions corresponding to longitudinal end sections contiguous with opposite short sides in a region surrounding the semiconductor chip, and side portions corresponding to side sections contiguous with long sides of the semiconductor chip in the region surrounding the semiconductor chip, and the height of the bending portions of the inner parts of the leads disposed in the longitudinal end sections is greater than that of the bending portions of the inner parts of the leads disposed in the side sections are different from each other.
 46. A semiconductor device according to claim 41, wherein the semiconductor chip has a rectangular shape in plan, and the inner parts of the leads disposed in longitudinal end regions contiguous with opposite short sides of the semiconductor chip have substantially the same width and are arranged at substantially equal intervals. 